John A. Manduca, Mdina
Oil drilling in the Mediterranean
Many will find the news that BP are to start deepwater driling off Libya disturbing. BP do not have an inspiring safety record and recent events in the Gulf of Mexico do not inspire confidence.
There can be no doubt that a major catastrophe off the Libyan coast would cause havoc, not only in Malta but throughout the Mediterranean. I am told that a major oil spill while drilling, or indeed by one of the hundreds of oil tankers which continually ply the Mediterranean, would be disastrous for Malta and others. For a start, the oil would bring our reverse osmosis plants to a halt - a severe blow to our tourism and to our living standards.
What steps, if any, are being taken about this? A warning has been sounded by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Fratini. What have we done? What is the European Union doing?
Unfortunately, we have the habit of reacting after an event. This is clearly not good enough.
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Vincent Gauci
Aug 1st 2010, 08:06
Malta can never be self sufficient in terms of the equipment and manpower necessary to defend itself against a major oil spill. It will be far too costly.
Instead, it must have a "first aid" capability, plus an arrangement with another country to intervene rapidly in case of such a disaster.
I believe that a number of local companies in conjunction with the Civil Protection Department, can provide this first intervention capability until such time that a rapid specialised team arrives from another country.
Vince DeBono
Jul 31st 2010, 20:11
I am under the impression that the location was bitterly contested with Libya by a country in the Med which wanted to drill there for oil, when drilling technology was more primitive and with a more cavalier attitude to safety and consideration to the marine ecosystem.
BP (There is a small percentage of B in it you know), used a wholly American sub-contractor in the Gulf. BP could be using anyone for its Libya operation. They could even be using Italian technology like that being used some 30 miles of Malta.
Like someone said, there are many potential disasters waiting to happen, nuclear and hydrofluorocarbons. We have ships anchoredsemi-permanently at Hurd Bank. Any oil leaking from a half-dozen miles will close down our infrastructure in minutes... and yet it is only when Libya hired BP that we get this furore!
I don't get it. Unless there is a political motive to the timing?
patrick zammit
Jul 31st 2010, 15:40
Although one cannot dispute John's observations, Malta's peace of mind is not under attack only by oil drilling activities.
What about the dangers posed by nuclear reactors?
It all boils down to doing things the right way and having a scrutinizing structure in place.
Frank Portelli 2BFRANK
Jul 31st 2010, 12:50
The Law of the Sea
In 1967 Malta was the prime mover on the law of the sea which imposes obligations on states to “protect and preserve the marine environment.” Article 192
The Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) places an obligation on all countries "to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment arising from or in connection with seabed activities subject to their jurisdiction”. Article 208 (1) & (3)
Malta should now take the bull by the horns and immediately call for an urgent meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Malta should demand that international safety standards be established for oil drilling so as to decrease the risk of tragic accidents and of environmental disasters .
Until then we should insist on a moratorium on Deep Water Oil Exploration.
The volume of the Mediterranean is around 1% of that of the Atlantic Ocean and an oil spill of the same magnitude as that in the Gulf, if it occurred in the Med, would be disastrous to our way of life, tourism, environment, reverse osmosis.
Dr Frank Portelli
Tonio Azzopardiu
Jul 31st 2010, 12:31
Malta wake up!
Start driling!
Please refrain from provided a God send escuse for any at thge top brass to 'shy' away from any exploration programes that Malta might undertake...Experts estimate that Malta is surrounded by huge Gas and Oil reserves..tidawx tbezzaw bil BABAW!
Propja BOLOH!
This will surely bring up Malta's 'hapiness index'!!!
That will be the day when we will all shout 'DRILL BABY DRILL!!!!'
g.c.Forte
Jul 31st 2010, 12:04
I agree 100% with this comment. John A. Manduca raised a very interesting argument, that the authority should take it seriously. And for once lets stop that stupid habit..........Wara li issir il froga, nitkellmu.
victor rodenas
Jul 31st 2010, 11:14
If we find out that there are huge amounts of oil 5 miles off Malta, will we drill for it ?
g.c.Forte
Jul 31st 2010, 11:59
Yes, I believe so.....At least if we will take the risk, it will be for our beneficial, and not having a havoc because of somebody else,and we finish taking all the banana. HUX.
M.Gauci
Jul 31st 2010, 20:13
G.C. Forte
Your logic is beyond my intelect.
Oil drilling in Libyan waters - NO, because it can wreak havoc here in case of a disaster there
Oild drilling in Maltese waters - YES - because we take the risks and benefits.
What if our Libyan friends and neighbours reason like you and decide that drilling in Maltese waters is risky to them, how shall we approach that?
Illuminate my ignorance.
Charles.C.Brown
Jul 31st 2010, 10:45
Is this Franco Frattini the same one who wanted your country to become a centre for illigal emmigation???
g.c.Forte
Jul 31st 2010, 11:50
Yes he is the same Frattini................but now he was talking to defend his country and not because he loves us so much !!**